The Great Barrier Reef, located northeast of Australia, is home to one-third of all the world's coral, which it also means that it has the largest coral reef system on the planet.
Due to human activity, the Great Barrier Reef and the species that live there are in serious danger of extinction. The factors that most influence are global warming, hunting, deforestation or water pollution. For this reason, the survival of the Great Barrier Reef and the species that live there is at risk.
In this article on our site we will talk about the animals that have been classified as vulnerable according to the CITES agreement of the Great Barrier Reef. Keep reading and find out all about the endangered animals of the Great Barrier Reef
The dugong or dugong
Although it can be mistaken for a dolphin or a shark, the duedongo is actually a manatee. This beautiful mammal is capable of swimming for more than six minutes without coming to the surface to breathe and feeds exclusively on marine vegetation.
The dugong lives in shallow waters, between reefs, which makes it an easy target for fishermen and hunterss, which They try to profit by selling the meat, teeth and oil of this peaceful mammal. At the same time, they are also threatened by water pollution and discharges in the area.
Fortunately they are protected by the Australian state. However, and despite the efforts to maintain this species, the dugong's reproductive cycle is annual and they only give birth to one calf per year, which also stays with its mother for 18 months. This long development of the offspring means that only a growth of 5% per year of the population of dugongs is reached.
The Marine turtles
Sea turtles are also considered endangered animals of the Great Barrier Reef. In fact, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has classified 4 of the 6 species of sea turtles as endangered. The remaining two species have been classified as vulnerable and their survival is considered at risk. These are the turtle species that are in danger of extinction:
- The loggerhead turtle: The loggerhead turtle gets its name from its huge head, which it uses to crush and break up food before consume them. The danger of extinction of this species is linked to its slow reproduction, since they only have offspring every 2 or 5 years.
- The green turtle: Despite being one of the most abundant species of the Great Barrier Reef, its reproductive cycle is seen greatly affected by climate change, which causes frequent flooding in their nests, putting the survival of the species at risk.
- Hawkhawks: These small sea turtles love to swim in shallow water so they can feed on sponges until they lay their eggs. Sadly, it is in danger of extinction precisely because of its eggs, which are considered a delicacy in different parts of the planet.
- The leatherback turtle: This species that inhabits the Great Barrier Reef is critically endangered and can hardly be seen in its natural environment. According to various studies, it is the other animals that have fostered its progressive disappearance.
Australian flatback turtle and olive ridley (or Ridley's) turtle are also endangered species and are therefore listed has attributed the classification of vulnerable and follow a special conservation agreement. The reason why they are at risk is due to the high value of their shell in the market, although their eggs and meat are also traded. They have been hunted for centuries and, in addition, the female turtles lay their eggs in the high seas, a place easily accessible to poachers.
Finally, and to end the causes of risk for these two turtles, it is essential to explain that marine traffic puts the survival of the species at serious risk, since hits and damages its shells frequently, even more so with the growth of tourism in the Great Barrier Reef.
The whales
Whales have long been one of the most important reef animals to Aboriginal people, who call them Mugga Mugga and consider them a spiritual totemfor the population. Despite being under a strict conservation regime, the whales continue to be victims of poaching.
The humpback whale, reduced its population by just 500 specimens during the 1960s. Fortunately, its population is growing thanks to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), who ensure a safe breeding area for humpback whales.
Besides the humpback whale, there are other species of whale that are in danger of extinction but that find refuge thanks to GBRMPA, as is the case of the whale de Bryde'sThis cetacean is in danger of extinction due to the collisions it experiences with ships and the high levels of pollution in the areas to which they migrate.
This is also the case for Sei (also known as the northern minke whale or Rudolphi's minke whale). It is one of the least known cetaceans in the Balaenopteridae family. Some estimates predict that they will become extinct before 2036, despite being currently under the protection and conservation of the species.
The s altwater crocodiles
Although it is one of the most dangerous animals in Australia, the truth is that there are currently only around 200,000 and 300,000 individuals of s altwater crocodiles in the world. Nicknamed "s alties" by Australians, s altwater crocodiles' excellent swimming abilities often mean they stray far from the Great Barrier Reef.
This reptile is hunted for skin, meat and eggs, the main reason for its vulnerability, although its population is also it has been reduced by the loss of its habitat due to the construction of port expansions.
The coral
Many people believe that coral is a plant, when in fact it is a living being that feeds on zooplankton. It is precisely the coral that gives this area its name: the Great Barrier Reef, which is the largest coral reef in the world. Of the 360 species of coral found in the area, 22 types are in danger of extinction
There are several factors that have led to coral being one of Australia's endangered animals. The main one is the crown of thorns, also known as the purple acanthaster, a species of starfish that is a natural predator of coral polyps. This species has experienced a significant increase in individuals since 2000, which has reduced the coral population by 50%
Apart from this predator, global warming and pollution have been other factors that have caused the phenomenon of " coral bleaching ", a reaction that coral undergoes that causes it to lose its natural pigmentation. It is believed to be caused by the stress of the coral polyp and, if experienced for a prolonged period, eventually causing its death.
Corals also feed on algae, so loss of wetlands caused by new coastal constructions, have produced a decrease of water quality in these areas. As a consequence, the algae cannot bloom, leaving the corals without the food they require.
Great Barrier Reef Protected Species
Besides the endangered animals of the Great Barrier Reef, GBRMPA also provides special care for other species that are threatened and migrating to the barrier. Animals that are protected under the GBRMPA are:
Migratory Animals
The Bonn convention declared several agreements to protect migratory animals that are in danger of extinction. Although we have mentioned some before, these are the ones that are documented in its appendix:
- The leatherback turtle
- The Green Turtle
- The blue whale
- Bryde's Whale
- Whale Fin
- The Chinese White Dolphin
- Irawadi River Dolphin
- The Sperm Whale
- Great White Shark
Threatened Animals
As we have mentioned, there are animals that are not in danger of extinction but are vulnerable to becoming so. A threatened animal is one that has been declining its population, so GBRMPA also protects it, in order to prevent it from becoming endangered:
- Whale shark
- Nurse Shark
- Green sawfish (Pristis zijsron)
- Freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon)
- Seahorses
- Napoleon fish
- Epinephelus tukula
- Queensland Grouper
- Humpback grouper (Chromileptes altivelis)
- Freshwater crocodiles
- Albatross
- Carrancito
- Antarctic Marine Albanth
- Subantarctic sea lion
- Bottlenose dolphin (Tursops truncatus)
- Zífidos
- False killer whale or black killer whale
- Fraser's Dolphin
- Irauadi Dolphin
- Dwarf killer whale
- minke whale or minke whale
- Pygmy killer whale
- Grey dolphin or pilot whale
- Ocean Common Dolphin
- Tropical pilot whale
- Spinner Dolphin
- Shredded Dolphin
- Maximum Tidacna
- Hippopus hippopus
- Tridacna crocea
- Giant clam or giant taclobo
Tips
- Don't get in the way of endangered animals when visiting the reef.
- Do not touch the animals or try to feed them.
- When visiting the reef, be sure to find eco-friendly transportation and do activities that respect these endangered animals.
